From Ancient Rome to recent political upheavals, Fighting History looks at how artists have transformed significant events into paintings and artworks that encourage us to reflect on our own place in history.

From the epic 18th century history paintings by John Singleton Copley and Benjamin West to 20th century and contemporary pieces by Richard Hamilton and Dexter Dalwood, the exhibition explores how artists have reacted to key historic events, and how they capture and interpret the past.

Often vast in scale, history paintings engage with important narratives from the past, from scripture and from current affairs. Some scenes protest against state oppression, while others move the viewer with heroic acts, tragic deaths and the plights of individuals swept up in events beyond their control. The Death of Amy Robsart by William Frederick Yeames, which has been newly conserved for this exhibition, casts a spotlight on a historical mystery while John Minton’s The Death of Nelson offers a tender perspective on the death of one of England’s greatest naval commanders.

The exhibition also shows how contemporary artists, such as Turner Prize winner Jeremy Deller, continue to engage with the traditions of history painting to confront modern-day tragedies and dilemmas.

With a large number of works exhibited in the UK for the first time, the display explores the unprecedented boom in Russian theatre culture during the first decades of the 20th century and the development of the avant-garde movement.

Curated in collaboration with the A.A.Bakhrushin State Central Theatre Museum, Moscow and supported by the Russian Ministry of Culture.

For over forty years, following a career as an international model and actor, Rudi Patterson dedicated himself to painting. From the three successive council flats he lived in around Notting Hill he produced a vast body of work, exhibiting widely in London, the UK and internationally – from New York to Melbourne – throughout the 1970s, 80s and 90s.

Following his death last year, this exhibition explores a single theme; Rudi’s extraordinarily potent and vivid representations of his native Jamaica. Including many works never previously exhibited, these depictions of montane landscapes, plantation villages, luxuriant tropical vegetation, rivers and beaches conjure a compelling sense of place, intuitively made from the vantage point of a west London window.

Since its first graphic poster commission in 1908, London Underground has developed a worldwide reputation for commissioning outstanding poster designs, becoming a pioneering patron of poster art – a legacy that continues today.

The new blockbuster exhibition Poster Art 150 – London Underground’s Greatest Designs, will showcase 150 of the greatest Underground posters ever produced. The exhibition forms part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of the London Underground and features posters by many famous artists and designs from each decade over the last 100 years. The posters were selected from the Museum’s archive of over 3,300 Underground posters by a panel of experts; the 150 that will appear in the exhibition show the range and depth of the Museum’s collection.

Poster Art 150 is a fitting exhibition to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the world’s first underground railway, as the last major Underground poster retrospective was held in 1963 to celebrate the centenary of the Underground. Well-known posters, including the surrealist photographer Man Ray’s ‘Keeps London Going’ pair, will feature alongside lesser-known gems. The exhibition will also offer a rare opportunity to view letter-press posters from the late nineteenth century.

The BP Walk through British Art offers a circuit of Tate Britain’s unparalleled collection from its beginnings to its end. This ‘walk through time’ has been arranged to ensure that the collection’s full historical range, from 1545 to the present, is always on show. There are no designated themes or movements; instead, you can see a range of art made at any one moment in an open conversational manner.

Visit the London Dungeon at its new home just by the London Eye. It’s the ultimate thrill-filled journey through London’s murky past, turning 1,000 years of history into 90 minutes of laughs, scares, theatre, shocks, rides, special effects, characters, jokes, mazes and storytelling.

Now that the characters are settled in their new County Hall home, you should drop on by… Sweeney would love to meat you.

The experience features:
– 18 all new shows
– 20 live actors
– State of the art theming and special effects
– Two theme park style rides
– Laughs, screams and cutting edge storytelling

There’s a lot less blood and all the actors make up designs were created especially by leading make-up brand MAC. Watch this video to find out more!

Walk London launches Spring into Summer – over 30 free guided walks covering London’s seven top walking routes. All walks are designed to be away from traffic and connect some of London’s best attractions, parks, woodland, rivers, canals and open spaces.

London is a fantastic city to explore by foot, with many hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. Not only is walking carbon free, it is proven to reduce stress, and improve your physical health. The free guided walks are perfect for singles, couples, families, or groups who want to discover what’s on their doorstep – culturally, historically and environmentally.

Walk London, a Transport for London project, works in partnership with all the London boroughs to promote walking as part of Londoner’s many day-to-day journeys.

Walks include Old Camden Town which is a distance of less than five miles. More challenging walks include The Thames Path Super Walk which is over 17 miles and lasts eight hours. All the walks will be great fun and are organised by professionals. Simply choose the walk that best suites you.